Solution for Preventing Daylight Savings Time Issue when Using Elan License Keys with PlantSpace Products

This TechNote describes a solution for preventing a known issue involving the PlantSpace Elan licensing scheme during the Daylight Saving Time change. Normally, any changes to the system clock would invalidate Elan license keys, which would necessitate stopping the license server, re-installing the license keys, and restarting the license server after each and every time change.

It is important to note that this issue exists with older versions of PlantSpace products only. Any PlantSpace product based on MicroStation/J-style licensing, such as PlantSpace Design Series v7.1, MicroStation Schematics/P&ID v2.1.x or Bentley Integration Products v4.x, such as Enterprise Navigator, will not be affected by time changes.

In order to avoid any adverse effects with Elan license keys because of time changes, the "TZ Variable" should be used. The procedure for setting the TZ Variable is as follows:

For Windows NT 4.0

1. While logged on the system with Administrator privileges, open Control Panel and select the System icon.
2. Set a new System Environment Variable called TZ with a value of GMT(+ or -) the number that corresponds to your current Time Zone. For example, in London the setting would be TZ=GMT. For the Netherlands the setting would be TZ=GMT+1.
3. Once this variable is set, you must restart the computer for it to take effect.
4. After this is complete, the system clock may be set to whatever time display is desired. The TZ variable will supercede the system clock time for the purposes of Elan license validation.
5. Afterward, the Elan licenses must be either re-installed or installed.

For Windows 95/Windows 98

1. Edit your autoexec.bat file and add the following line: SET TZ=GMT(+or-) the number that corresponds to your current time zone. For example, in London the setting would be TZ=GMT. For the Netherlands the setting would be TZ=GMT+1.
2. Once this is set, you must restart the computer for it to take effect.
3. After this is complete, the system clock may be set to whatever time display is desired. The TZ variable will supercede the system clock time for the purposes of Elan license validation.
4. Once back in Windows 95/98, the Elan licenses must be either re-installed or installed.

Alternately, you can also set a variable JTTZ in the Jspace.ini file

1. Edit the jspace.ini file located in the PltSpace\etc directory and add the following line: SET JTTZ = GMT(+or-) the number that corresponds to your current time zone. For example, in London the setting would be JTTZ=GMT. For the Netherlands the setting would be JTTZ=GMT+1.

NOTE: These variables must be set on both the client and server machines if applicable.

It has been noticed that on some systems, but not others, a delay occurs when opening various PlantSpace products after this process is complete. In order to avoid any delays clear the ams.log file prior to reopening the software.

As a separate alternative, although not necessarily recommended, you can toggle off the "Automatically Adjust Clock for Daylight Saving Time" option in your Windows software. While this may technically work, it is recommended that you use one of the variable-based options mentioned above as a safer means of resolving this issue.